Filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick are hopeful their latest film, The Forge, will cause people to consider the role they can play in shaping the next generation.

The Forge details the coming-of-age journey of a young man named Isaiah, who is the bitter and angry son of a single mom who “struggles to call out the man” in him. Isaiah, played by Aspen Kennedy from the BET’s drama series Kingdom Business, is offered a job by a successful businessman who takes an interest in him, begins mentoring him, and points him to a redeeming Christian faith.

“The tagline that we’re using for The Forge movie is, ‘Whoever wants the next generation the most will get them,’ because our culture,” Alex Kendrick, the film’s director and co-writer, said, “Our culture wants the next generation. They want their hearts, their minds, their viewpoints, perspectives, their loyalties.”

“The healthy part of our culture that is looking more wisely at things, needs to go after the next generation and pursue them to teach them, pour into them,” Alex added.

Stephen Kendrick, The Forge’s producer and co-writer, said he hoped the film would encourage viewers to “be a fountain, not a drain” in others’ lives.

“Employers are going to love this movie because we’re teaching this next generation to set your alarm, get up, show up for work, work hard, and you know, be responsible,” Stephen said. “But I think families will love it as well because they can see that redemption can take place out of brokenness and bitterness.”

The Forge, which is distributed by Sony Pictures, opens in theaters on August 23. 

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In addition to Kennedy, the film features Priscilla Shirer of War Room, who plays Isaiah’s mother, Karen Abercrombie of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Cameron Arnett, who won the 2023 Best Actor Award at the Christian Family Film Festival for Unfailing Love.

The Kendrick brothers are also known for films that have shocked the box office, including Lifemark, which featured Kirk Cameron. Other films include War Room, Overcomer, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants.